New pastor joins Stowe Community Church
September 4, 2021 | By Kathe Rhinesmith
Rev. Daniel Gary Haugh joins the Stowe Community Church as its new pastor along with his family members: wife Lauretta Haugh, a special education teacher, and twin sons, Jack and Blake, third graders at Stowe Elementary School. Courtesy photo
Following a year-long search, Stowe Community Church is welcoming the Rev. Daniel Gary Haugh to serve as its new pastor as of Sept. 1.
Rev. Haugh previously served as Associate Minister at Round Hill Community Church in Greenwich, Connecticut, since 2015. Prior to that he served as Associate Pastor of Youth and Young Adults at the American Church in Paris, France, from 2011 to 2015.
During his time at Round Hill, Rev. Haugh successfully developed a youth ministry program, increased the church membership, and strengthened partnerships between the church and community organizations. Round Hill Community Church, like Stowe Community Church, is a non-denominational congregation with close ties to the United Church of Christ.
While serving the American Church in Paris, Rev. Haugh was responsible for youth ministry and young adult programs. During this time, he also led service trips to Africa, India and throughout Europe, helping to expand the church’s mission and outreach. While serving at Round Hill he led service trips to the Sioux Tribe Reservation and a spiritual pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
Rev. Haugh is a 2002 graduate of Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies and Theology. He graduated from Alliance Theological Seminary in New York City in 2008 with a Master of Divinity in Church Development; he was ordained in 2006.
Rev. Peter Hammond completed his service last month as interim pastor at Stowe Community Church. Courtesy photo
Rev. Haugh replaces Rev. Peter Hammond, who served as interim pastor for the past year, ending his service in Stowe last month.
The Haugh family moved to Stowe this summer. Lauretta Haugh is a special education teacher and their twin sons, Jack and Blake, are third graders at Stowe Elementary School.
The community is invited to attend worship at Stowe Community Church on Sunday, Sept. 5, at 9:30 a.m. to welcome Rev. Haugh and his family. The service also can be viewed online via livestream at stowechurch.org.
The Stowe Community Church is the iconic white church with a striking spire located in downtown Stowe. In 1920 the Universalist, Congregationalist, and Methodist congregations in Stowe united to form Stowe Community Church. While non-denominational, the church’s theology often aligns with the United Church of Christ. The iconic Universalist Church building built in 1863 was kept as the best edifice and the Congregationalist parsonage (circa 1840) was retained as the minister’s residence.